This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distribution to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about permissions/licensing, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com

Home daycare: A parents' guide

The living room is a bustling play space that goes silent during mid-afternoon naps, when tots slumber on cots. The dining room contains an easel with the “Fishy Song” and shelves stacked with books, puzzles and building blocks. And in the foyer, colourful artwork is displayed, along with a month-long program of daily activities that includes learning the ABCs and playing with “gooey mixture,” as well as a weekly menu.

Welcome to the Etobicoke home — and licensed daycare — of Mercedita Suribas, or as the kids call her, “Miss Mercy.”

“I’m very much single, that’s why I love kids,” says Suribas, who was an early childhood educator in a daycare centre before working for Wee Watch, a licensed, private, home child care agency.

As she speaks, her gaze never leaves the Traikos brothers, Lucas, 2, and Dimitri, 4, who are playing nearby. This summer, she’s down to two kids, from the four she cared for during the school year.

Across the city, there are countless home daycares resembling this one, that working parents rely on — in part because of the critical shortage of affordable and available spots in daycare centres.

Article Continued Below

But only a small fraction of home daycares are licensed and subject to provincial regulation that outlines standards for the health, safety, nutrition and developmental needs of children.

An estimated 80 per cent of children are being cared for in unlicensed and unregulated home daycares — they’re not illegal, just not subject to the same oversight. In fact there’s only one regulation imposed on unlicensed daycares: the number of children in a caregiver’s home is limited to five kids under the age of 10, not including the provider’s own children.

The tragedy has left some parents questioning the difference between licensed and unlicensed home daycare and wondering how best to screen caregivers.

“Licensing does not determine quality,” says Doreen Cowin, executive director of the Ottawa-based Child Care Providers Resource Network, which offers information, training and resources to support, primarily, the unlicensed caregiver. “Quality child care arrangements come from information and education, both on the part of the parent and the caregiver.”

Leslie Wilson, vice-president of Wee Watch, agrees there are some “very good” independent caregivers. But, she adds, “the problem with unlicensed is even if they meet ... criteria to open up, who’s going to be the watchdog to make sure they keep that criteria up? It’s tough for a parent to do.”

Wilson says she hears “horror stories” from parents with children in unlicensed homes, complaining of unsafe environments and providers that exceed the maximum allowance of children. But many tell her they simply can’t afford to switch.

Weighing home daycare options and choosing the right provider can be overwhelming, especially for a new parent. But a good starting point is to know the minimum standards for operating licensed child care, which may help parents in determining what to look for in potential caregivers.

In Ontario, child care centres and private home daycare agencies, such as Wee Watch, are governed by the Day Nurseries Act. Agencies contract home-based providers and are responsible for screening, approving and regularly monitoring them to make sure standards are met.

Licensed caregivers must undergo a police check, be deemed medically fit and certified in First Aid and CPR. Their home must be smoke-free and checked by the agency to ensure appropriate play, eating and sleep space. And proper safety measures must be followed, such as blocking off stairs with gates; securing all furniture, such as a TV or wall unit; and storing cleaning supplies, medicine and liquor so it’s out of children’s reach.

The Act also stipulates children receive nutritious meals, two hours of outdoor activity, at least one hour of rest and age-appropriate programming.

Licensed homes can care for up to five children, provided there can be no more than two under the age of 2, and no more than three under the age of 3. The provider’s own children under the age of 5 must be counted in those age ratios. So while it’s illegal for a licensed operator to care for five 1-year-olds, it’s not for someone who is unlicensed.

To ensure compliance, agencies visit homes unannounced at least once every three months. And once a year, Ministry of Education staff members inspect all licensed daycare centres and private-home daycare agencies, including some home providers.

But being an unlicensed caregiver doesn’t mean a provider doesn’t want to follow the rules. Many operate independently because they’re not as limited in the numbers and ages of children as they would be if licensed.

Plus, it means they’re in total control of their daily programming and finances, taking money directly form the parent. By comparison, licensed agencies collect the fees and keep a percentage to cover costs such as liability insurance, office staff and equipment (high chairs, strollers, playpens) and then pay the provider.

For instance, Suribas charges $230 a week for children under age 3 and $195 for those older than 3. In her case, the agency keeps 30 per cent, which doesn’t bother her because having liability insurance gives her peace of mind.

The tragedy in Vaughan isn’t a question of licensed versus unlicensed, but of good versus bad, says Oakville mother Alison King, who’s had both positive and negative experiences with home daycare.

“As parents, we have to provide our own oversight, listen to our kids, go by our instincts and get to know the other kids and parents in the daycare,” says King. “We have to be our own greatest resource. We’re there, and our kids are there, everyday. No inspector or government regulation can tell you what’s going on inside every day.”

She recalls that when she began looking for home care for daughter Lauren, who’s now 8, she interviewed both licensed and unlicensed providers, visited their homes, observed how they interacted with her baby and contacted references. Initially, she assumed she’d choose a licensed provider, but eventually dropped it as a key criterion.

“I was shocked at some of the homes we visited,” recalls King.

Daycares were dark, dirty or exclusively in basements; homes were missing baby gates for stairs and latches on cupboards; and providers didn’t know first aid or CPR. Some providers made her feel like a paranoid new mom for being so inquisitive.

“One lady said she didn’t like to go outside so the kids played inside all day. And I thought, ‘Ok, you’re obviously not the right person for me.’”

She settled on an unlicensed provider, who had previously worked for an agency. But soon after, red flags emerged.

Each morning, Lauren wailed uncontrollably when dropped off, which she never did when left with others. King suggested she stay for a few hours and help with the adjustment, but was told that was too disruptive and that she was being overly protective. And when she picked up her daughter, she was kept waiting in the entrance, never permitted to go downstairs to see what the children were doing.

And to her surprise, she learned from another parent, that the provider had in the past taken the kids to the gym and left them with the gym’s own daycare service while she exercised.

After three months, King finally listened to her gut and moved Lauren to another unlicensed daycare. Her second provider, a neighbour, was “a treasure.” Lauren’s transition was easy, parents were always welcomed, and the environment was safe, fun and nurturing. It turned out to also be the daycare setting for younger daughter, Claire, who’s now 6.

Looking back, King wishes she had trusted her gut earlier and not let people make her feel as though she was being overly paranoid or overprotective.

“I don’t think as a parent there is any such thing. If your gut tells you there is something wrong or it’s not a good fit, listen to that voice. Don’t rely on a piece of paper or certificate.”

What to look for in a home day care

Is the caregiver attentive with your child, and the other children?

Do the other children appear happy and engaged?

Is the home bright and clean?

Does it resemble a daycare setting?

Ask to see all the areas the child will have access to and ask where the children play, eat and sleep.

The physical setting of the home — what is the play space like inside and outside?

The location of the home — is it near public libraries, parks, community centres?

Have precautions been taken to ensure safety of the children?

Are there gates on stairs, latches on doors, a fence around the property, is furniture secured?

Are there proper fire exits in areas of the home where the children will be?

What are the play materials?

What to ask a caregiver:

Does the caregiver have liability insurance?

What is the caregiver’s level of experience?

How many children are in the daycare and what are their ages?

Is the provider trained in First Aid and CPR?

Who else is in the house during daycare hours?

Has the caregiver, and the others in the house, had a police check?

Is the caregiver healthy and fit to care for children? Has he/she had a health check?

Does the caregiver, or anyone else in the home, smoke on the premises?

Are there pets? If so, are they up-to-date with their shots? Will children be allowed around pets?

What happens if the caregiver is sick or on vacation?

What is the menu? Are nutritious and balanced meals and snacks provided?

More from the Toronto Star & Partners

LOADING

Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or distribution of this content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. To order copies of Toronto Star articles, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com